April 29, 2026

2026 Speed King Tour Rd2 – Report

The second round of the high profile Japanese Speed King Tour 2026 took place at the New Rush Next Circuit outdoor tarmac track in Chiba prefecture Japan last weekend where it was Xray’s Jin Sawada who dominated the Modified TC0 class from qualifying to final.  His car showed overwhelming speed and nobody was able to catch him.  Infinity driver Ryosuke Yamamoto finished second with the Xpress of Masaya Okazaki completing the podium.  2025 TC1 (Stock) class ‘Speed King’ Rento Sasaki still kept his speed and consistency with his XRAY car and made back to back win. Topic of this race was ‘back marker’ and the driver who managed smooth overtake got good result. Xpress driver Toyoki Yamada got second position of podium from 5th starting grid. Toshiaki Hirata finished 3rd.  The TC2 class (G Force motor and ESC) A final race was a closely fought contest. Second place qualifier Atsushi Fujimaki won the race from Hiroyuki Tsurumi and Jin Endo finished 3rd from fifth on the grid.  All 3 class races were a huge success and drivers are already focusing the next round which will be held at TM Circuit Wakayama outdoor tarmac track in Wakayama prefecture on May 24th.

View TC1 and TC2 podiums here

April 29, 2026

Teenager Langner joins Awesomatix

Awesomatix has announced there signing of promising 15-year-old German talent Phil Langner to its team.  Previous representing Mugen Seiki, Langner has already built an impressive list of achievements and established himself as one of the most promising young drivers on the European scene taking this year’s ETS FWD Championship title. With speed, racecraft, and determination, he represents the future of RC racing. AS part of the Awesomatix line-up he will compete in ETS Pro Stock 17.5T and Euro 13.5T, alongside key events like the European Championship in Luxembourg, and the German Nationals. On the announced Langner said, ‘I am very happy to join Team Awesomatix after already driving their car privately from 2022 to 2025. It’s very exciting to work with this great team from now on and try to achieve the best possible results together. Thanks to Max Mächler for this opportunity.’

Source: Awesomatix [awesomatix.net]

April 28, 2026

Niotek PTFE treated Spring Steel TC Chassis

Having just announced a partnership with Monaco RC, Chinese manufacturer Niotek has released a new generation of high-performance Spring Steel Chassis with integrated PTFE treatment.  Each chassis is made from 1.2 mm spring steel, a thickness chosen to deliver the optimal weight and help position mass at the lowest point of the car, improving weight distribution and overall vehicle handling.  A defining feature of this new line is its dual surface treatment, the upper side featuring a technical burnished finish, while the lower side integrates an anti-stick PTFE treatment, engineered to prevent dirt, rubber buildup, oils, and additive residue from adhering to the chassis surface.  It is the first chassis on the market to combine the performance of a spring steel chassis not only with a black finish, but with an integrated treatment capable of delivering a real and measurable advantage on track.  The PTFE anti-stick treatment keeps the underside of the chassis cleaner and smoother throughout the entire run, preventing track dirt and residue from slowing the car down and affecting performance consistency.  This approach also eliminates the need for additional PTFE protective films, a solution that is becoming increasingly common even among top drivers.  To complete the package, the new line also features special dedicated low-head screws, specifically developed for this chassis in order to ensure maximum technical consistency and a solution designed entirely around performance.  The line is currently available in dedicated versions for Mugen, Awesomatix, and Infinity Touring Cars.

View additional images here

April 28, 2026

2 from 2 for Ripoll in French Championship

Maxime Ripoll made it two from two over the weekend, the Xray driver winning the second round of the FFVRC French 1:8 Nitro Onroad Championship at the Celtic CPB Racing 35 track in Châteaubourg.  In qualifier the World Championship finalist & defending French Champion would secure the TQ honours ahead of Baptiste Jimenez and Christophe Louis.  Over the 45-minute final Ripoll, who took the Round 1 win last month, would eek out a gap to win by a lap over the Shepherd of Semi Finals winner Fabien Baranger.  The Mugen Seiki of Louis, second at the season opener, completed the podium ahead of Jimenez who would set the fastest lap of the race and be the only driver to dip into the 14-second lap times.

Image: Maxime Ripoll [Facebook]

April 28, 2026

SuperRad SR-50 SuperKTX 1:28 GT Body

SuperRad Competition Bodyshells has doubled its offering of 1:28 GT Bodies with the addition of the SR-50 SuperKTX.  The Ohio based company say their latest body delivers crisp rotation while maintaining exceptional high‑speed stability.  Offered in Lite polycarbonate complete with rear wing it also includes window masks and a decal sheet for finishing.

View more images here

April 27, 2026

Branson wins BRCA Nationals opener at Cotswolds

Kyle Branson has won the opening round of the BRCA British Touring Car Nationals.  The first of the 5 championship rounds was stages at the Cotswold track where in practice reigning champion Elliott Harper would break the track record with his prototype Schumacher, Branson also managing to break 21 laps.  In qualifying it was Branson who was fastest but only marginally over Harper.  Topping 3 of the 4 rounds, Branson posted a 21/5:07.13 compared to Harpers 21/5:07.49.  Behind Peter Eagles and Chris Grainger completed the Modified class Top 4.  In the finals, the British Championship running double A-Mains, Branson won the first by 2.5-seconds from Harper with Grainger moving up to third.  A2 would see Harper go for a gap but unfortunately spin out after side-by-side contact.  Setting the fastest lap of the harper would manage to finish second just behind the winner with Eagles in third but overall it was the veteran Grainger who competed the podium.  Round 2 of the championship will take drivers to Stafford on May 25th.

Image: Schumacher [Facebook]

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